Maureen Child, Bourbon Street Blues

Bourbon Street Blues

Maureen Child

Harlequin Hotel Marchand, October 2006,

ISBN: 037389426

At the bar in the Hotel Marchand, jazz singer Holly Carlisle recognizes Mr. Misery as she sang at his wedding. She goes over to say hello to businessman Parker James, who at first does not recognize her until she mentions the wedding that he never should have said yes to ten years ago; now the messy divorce is all over the local papers, as Frannie accuses him of sabotaging the import division of the family company that he gave his share to her as part of the settlement. He admits he came to the bar in the middle of the afternoon to hear her perform and ask her if she would be interested in playing in his new club Parker's Place.

She accepts his offer, but soon Holly and Parker become lovers, while Frannie makes life miserable for everyone associated with her ex. She goes so far as to sabotage his new endeavor, interfering with shipments, and continues her hate campaign to destroy Parker. However, when she turns her venom on Holly, she chooses someone with claws willing to strike back unlike Parker who is ready to surrender.

BOURBON STREET BLUES is an interesting character study inside of a contemporary romance. Frannie, the mean queen is a fascinating manipulator who plays Holly and Parker like a virtuoso violinist. Courageous Holly is an ethical person who refuses to allow threats, extortion or bribes to stop her from achieving her life dreams. However, Parker seems shallow next to the dynamic females, as he is ready to throw in the towel (or at least raise the white towel high) at every setback. Still, fans will enjoy the latest New Orleans Hotel Marchand tale.